Chapter Five: The Empty Vow

“They implant trackers during exams, then use guest lists to identify descendants of old witnesses,” Mira said. “Anyone who approaches this pier is marked.” A phone rang in the darkness. An old flip phone was tied beneath a bouquet of white roses. The caller ID read STELLA LU. Celeste answered. “Celeste,” her sister whispered. “Don’t rescue me. They don’t want me. They want Mira Shen.” The rolling door crashed down. Gasoline fumes surged in as lines of flame raced across the floor. Adrian shoved Mira toward a side door, then turned back for Julian, pinned by a shelf. A beam fell. Mira seized a bridesmaid’s sash, and agony forced open her gift.